Art, DT and Music
Art and Design
Within each year group, and as they move up the school, the children experience drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, textiles, collage and exploring and developing ideas. The teaching of these skills is embedded in high-quality purposeful learning linked with the topics being covered.
Whole school projects take place focusing on drawing, sculpture and painting to explore the progression of art at Archibald. We also deliver the ‘Take One Picture’ project every two years.
Throughout their time at Archibald, the children learn about artists of the North East, Britain and the world including artists of both genders, those accomplished in the different disciplines of art as well as the styles of art.
Not only do we teach the children to apply the skills, but we teach the children to appraise artwork, draw comparisons and verbalise their opinions.
By the end of their time at Archibald, all of our children will have visited a local art gallery and experienced working alongside real life artists.
We have also achieved Artsmark status. This is a nationally recognised award which shows we demonstrate excellence in arts and cultural provision. In October 2022, we were awarded Artsmark Gold!
Design Technology
Design and Technology is taught to children at Archibald First School from EYFS to Year 4. In EYFS, children are able to access loose parts and modelling materials in order to learn basic construction techniques. They will also take part in adult led cooking activities and will be introduced to the idea of designing and making.
In KS1 and KS2, the children will be taught Design and Technology through the Kapow scheme. Each project is to be taught over a succession of lessons to ensure the breadth of coverage in terms of knowledge and key skills as well as the progression in these.
Core projects relate to:
- Cooking and nutrition
- Mechanisms and mechanical systems
- Structures
- Textiles
- Electrical Systems (Year 4)
At Archibald, our Design and technology scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation, and evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. Through our scheme of work, we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become creative and curious citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements. Our Design and technology scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the National curriculum and the aims also align with those in the National curriculum. EYFS enhanced and continuous provision activities, provide opportunities for pupils to work towards the Development matters statements and the Early Learning Goals.
Music
Music is taught to every year group at Archibald. Within EYFS, the children access the music curriculum through the Early Years curriculum.
From Reception to Year 4, the Kapow Music program is followed ensuring that music teaching and learning incorporates all aspects of the curriculum and is progressive throughout the school.
As a school, we work with the Newcastle Music Service who provide specialist music teaching in school. They deliver tuned instrument tuition to every child in years 1 – 4. In key stage 1 the children study glockenspiel and in key stage 2 they study ukulele. In addition to this children in nursery and reception are provided with piccolo workshops in the summer term. The Newcastle Music Service also run Gosforth School Voices and Band, and along with NEMCO provide us with peripatetic teaching of violin, guitar and trumpet to Key Stage 2. Children in key stage 2 are also offered a ukulele club and all children have the opportunity to attend “Rock Up and Sing!”. A club to celebrate music, singing and to promote happy and healthy minds.
As of September 2023, school will work with Newcastle Cathedral on the National Schools Singing Programme – this will involve children in Years 2 and 3.
As part of our cultural capital, during music curriculum sessions and assemblies to children are exposed to different genres, eras, composers, styles of music. Each year group has a set of composer and musicians that they study and appraise throughout the year these are carefully selected to include; classical composers, film composers, female composers, women in music, music from different cultures and British influencers. Music with local links is listened to and studied as part of our singing assemblies.
